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SDVY vs. IWM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDVY vs. IWM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) and IWM (iShares Russell 2000 ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - SDVY tracks the NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index while IWM tracks the Russell 2000 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDVY returned 10.56%/yr vs 6.99%/yr for IWM. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SDVY charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for IWM.

Performance

SDVY vs. IWM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDVY achieves a 14.77% return, which is significantly lower than IWM's 18.79% return.

SDVY

1D
0.11%
1M
1.44%
6M
8.90%
YTD
14.77%
1Y
24.71%
3Y*
15.03%
5Y*
10.56%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
11.30%

IWM

1D
-0.48%
1M
-2.14%
6M
12.62%
YTD
18.79%
1Y
36.90%
3Y*
15.11%
5Y*
6.99%
10Y*
10.70%
ALL TIME*
8.73%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

IWM

iShares Russell 2000 ETF
$6.67B$6.32B$7.45B

SDVY

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF
$38.61M$37.48M$45.12M

SDVY vs. IWM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDVY
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF		14.77%8.83%11.19%28.58%-11.98%29.13%11.72%25.62%-15.26%5.62%
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		18.79%12.66%11.38%16.83%-20.48%14.54%20.03%25.39%-11.12%2.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SDVY and IWM is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.81

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.89

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.91

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2017

0.84

The correlation between SDVY and IWM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDVY vs. IWM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDVY
IWM

Financial Services

33.9%
18.3%

Industrials

27.6%
13.7%

Consumer Cyclical

9.2%
9.2%

Technology

8.6%
13.6%

Basic Materials

5.7%
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

5.2%
2.8%

Healthcare

3.4%
20.0%

Energy

2.9%
5.6%

Communication Services

2.3%
2.0%

Real Estate

0.6%
7.0%

Utilities

0.6%
2.9%

Financial Services

SDVY
33.9%
IWM
18.3%

Industrials

SDVY
27.6%
IWM
13.7%

Consumer Cyclical

SDVY
9.2%
IWM
9.2%

Technology

SDVY
8.6%
IWM
13.6%

Basic Materials

SDVY
5.7%
IWM
4.5%

Consumer Defensive

SDVY
5.2%
IWM
2.8%

Healthcare

SDVY
3.4%
IWM
20.0%

Energy

SDVY
2.9%
IWM
5.6%

Communication Services

SDVY
2.3%
IWM
2.0%

Real Estate

SDVY
0.6%
IWM
7.0%

Utilities

SDVY
0.6%
IWM
2.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

Often compared with SDVY:
SDVY vs. CALFSDVY vs. REGLSDVY vs. RFVSDVY vs. AVUVSDVY vs. VOOSDVY vs. SPYSDVY vs. FNDA
Often compared with IWM:
IWM vs. SPYIWM vs. VTWOIWM vs. IJRIWM vs. AVUVIWM vs. VOOIWM vs. IWNIWM vs. IWO

Return for Risk

SDVY vs. IWM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
SDVY
SDVY Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
SDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
SDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
IWM
IWM Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
IWM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IWM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
IWM Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
IWM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
IWM Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SDVY vs. IWM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

SDVYIWMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.52
1.77

-0.25

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.33
2.51

-0.18

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.30

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.46

3.11

-0.65

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.50

11.02

-2.52

SDVY vs. IWM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDVY Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the IWM Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDVY and IWM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

SDVY vs. IWM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDVY drawdown since its inception was -44.70%, smaller than the maximum IWM drawdown of -59.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDVY and IWM.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDVYIWMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-44.70%

-59.05%

+14.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.28%

-11.03%

+1.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.92%

-27.50%

+1.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.92%

-31.91%

+5.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-41.13%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.82%

-3.08%

+2.26%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.58%

-10.71%

+3.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.69%

3.11%

-0.42%

Volatility

SDVY vs. IWM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) and iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) have volatilities of 3.69% and 3.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SDVYIWMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.69%

3.82%

-0.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.58%

14.12%

-3.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.07%

19.41%

-4.34%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.84%

22.48%

-1.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

24.65%

23.01%

+1.64%

SDVY vs. IWM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDVY has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than IWM's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDVY vs. IWM - Dividend Comparison

SDVY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.94%, more than IWM's 0.91% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IWM
iShares Russell 2000 ETF		0.91%1.04%1.15%1.35%1.48%0.94%1.04%1.26%1.40%1.26%1.38%1.54%
SDVY
First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF		0.94%1.69%1.60%1.90%2.28%1.09%1.48%1.69%1.57%0.29%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

SDVY and IWM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IWM has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to SDVY (3.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDVY dropped -44.70% vs IWM's -59.05%.

On 5-year performance, SDVY leads with 10.56% vs 6.99% for IWM. On fees, IWM is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, SDVY has been the lower-risk option at 3.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, SDVY has performed better with a 10.56% return vs 6.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IWM is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SDVY.

SDVY has the higher dividend yield at 0.94%, compared with 0.91% for IWM.

SDVY tracks NASDAQ US Small Mid Cap Rising Dividend Achievers™ Index, while IWM tracks Russell 2000 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SDVY and 0.19% for IWM.

IWM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.52), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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